Psychosocial and Obstetric Factors as Predictors of Postpartum Depression Among Women Attending Clinic in Makurdi Metropolis

Abstract

Postpartum depression is one of the growing mental health challenges in Nigeria. In this light, this study examined psychosocial and obstetric factors as predictors of postpartum depression among postnatal women attending clinic in Makurdi metropolis. The study employed a cross sectional survey design involving 213 postnatal women, whose ages ranged from 18 to 47 years with a mean age of 32.72 and standard deviation of 13.09. The Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, and Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale were used in data collection. Data analysis involved the use of Multiple Linear Regression and Hierarchical Multiple Regression. Results showed that psychosocial factors (self-esteem and employment status) significantly and negatively predicted postpartum depression among postnatal women in Makurdi metropolis [R=-.352, R2=.123, F(2,211)=6.551, p<.05]. Psychosocial factors explained 12.3% of the total variance observed in postpartum depression among the postnatal women. Also, results indicated that obstetric factors (maternal age and birthing method) significantly and positively predicted postpartum depression among the postnatal women [R=.443, R2=.196, F(2,211)=9.195, p<.01]. Obstetric factors accounted for 19.6% of the total variance observed in postpartum depression among the women. Further, hierarchical regression analysis indicated that psychosocial and obstetric factors significantly and positively predicted postpartum depression among the postnatal women. The model jointly accounted for 22.7% of the variance observed in postpartum depression, with a significant ΔF=20.33 after controlling for the effect of demographic variables. The study recommended that management of hospitals should put in place psychological services to help in enhancing self-esteem deficits among postnatal women among other recommendations.